How Can UV Lights Improve Your HVAC System?

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Ultraviolet light is notorious for causing sunburn to the skin and discoloration on home furnishings. But did you know that it can actually help improve the performance of your HVAC equipment?

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How Does Your HVAC Affect Your Skin?

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When discussing skin health, the last thing that probably comes to mind is your heating and cooling systems, but you might be surprised to know that your HVAC system plays an important role in keeping your skin healthy, especially during the winter months. Residential and commercial HVAC repair specialist Schmitt takes a closer look.

4 Common Problems Caused by Dirty Air Filters

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Air filters prevent dust, dirt, and debris from getting into your HVAC system’s air ducts, and will eventually get clogged over time. Schmitt Heating & Air Conditioning takes a look at the common problems that are caused by clogged air filters. Read more

What Happens if You Don’t Replace Furnace Filters

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Winter is right around the corner and with it, you can expect a spike in usage for your furnace and heating systems. It’s essential to keep everything running at top performance to avoid the inconvenience of a breakdown and having to need HVAC repair services.

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Top HVAC Maintenance Tips for Pet Owners

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Pets are a huge responsibility with so many rewards. In addition to the companionship, they relieve stress and, for service animal owners, they help with daily tasks. They also tend to have an effect on your HVAC systems, if they stay indoors.

4 Signs You Need a New HVAC System

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If you have been living in your home for a long time, at some point you will have to ask yourself if it’s time to have your HVAC system replaced. When you notice one or more of the following signs, start making preparations for a new heating and air conditioning system.

5 Factors That Affect the Life-Span of Your Heating System

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Understanding the factors that can affect the life span of your HVAC system can help you get the most out of it. As a cooling and heating system installation expert, Schmitt recommends that homeowners research and study their HVAC systems to make smart decisions regarding the care and maintenance of their equipment. To help you with this,  we will discuss the things that can affect your HVAC system’s service life. Read more

Prevent HVAC Problems by Protecting Your AC Unit This Winter

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As an experienced HVAC repair company, we recommend keeping an eye on your air conditioning system even if winter means you won’t be using it for months until next summer. This is because neglecting your AC unit can lead to decreased performance and heightens the risk of issues cropping up. Fortunately, there are simple ways to keep your air conditioning system in good shape, even in the winter. Read on to find out how you can protect your AC in the winter. Read more

Understanding the Basics of Your HVAC System

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Knowing the basics of how HVAC systems work can give homeowners a greater appreciation for their system, inform them as to maintenance tasks they should be performing, help them diagnose problems, and communicate with technicians.

Types of HVAC Systems

There are several types of heating and air conditioning systems in modern homes. In climates that only experience one temperature extreme, a single-stage system may provide either heat or cold to a home. These systems are inexpensive but inefficient and are not commonly used.

Conventional systems will combine a furnace and an air conditioning unit to provide both heating and cooling capabilities. Most of these setups will have single-speed fans, which are only capable of running at full speed or being turned off. Newer systems may have variable-speed fans that run at various speeds to provide greater energy efficiency.

Zoning heating and air conditioning systems allow homeowners to control the temperature of multiple “zones” within their home individually. These systems allow greater comfort within a home and increased energy efficiency, but are more expensive than traditional systems.

Heat pumps are becoming a popular choice for replacing conventional systems. Heat pumps only move heat from one area to another, allowing them to function while using far less energy than other systems. Different types of heat pumps use different sources for heat and work more efficiently down to cooler temperatures.

6 Things Homeowners Should Know About Their System

Homeowners should understand the basics of their own system. Some important details include:

  1. Location of ducts. Air ducts carry conditioned air throughout a home. These ducts are essential to the heating and air conditioning system. Leaking or blocked ducts can keep air from reaching part of the house.
  2. Type of refrigerant. Federal law required the phasing out of refrigerant R-22 last year. Any that remains for repairing systems will be far more expensive than coolant R-410A.
  3. Location of the indoor parts of the system. Furnaces are usually located indoors, as is part of the air conditioning system. Homeowners need to know the location of these and keep an eye on their drain pans to be aware of any damaging leaks.
  4. Location of outdoor sections. The outdoor section of air conditioners need to be kept clean and clear of debris, so homeowners should know where this is and how to clean it.
  5. Seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER). SEER ratings measure the energy efficiency of air conditioners. Higher ratings denote more efficient units.
  6. Air filter information. Air filters are the part of HVAC systems that need the most frequent maintenance. Homeowners can usually perform this maintenance if they know where the filter is located and the type of filter needed. Some filters can be cleaned, but many are simply replaced.

Homeowners who know what type of HVAC system their home uses and the basics listed above will find themselves better able to keep their systems running efficiently, and will be able to communicate more clearly with technicians.

Have any additional questions about your HVAC system? We love educating our customers about how their systems work. Contact us today.

The Latest Advancements in HVAC Home Comfort

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Every industry undergoes changes from time to time. As new technologies are discovered and developed, it takes time for those new technologies to hit the mainstream and be accepted for everyday use as the new industry-standard. In the world of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), there are a number of technologies on the horizon that will begin to change the way that home owner’s heat and cool their homes.

Latest HVAC Advancements for 2016-2017

Here are some of the latest HVAC technologies that have already hit the market or will soon be showing up in homes across the country in no time:

Smart Thermostats

Though this is by no means a brand new technology, smart thermostats continue to improve, offering even more features that are not only convenient for homeowners but help them save money. For those not familiar with this technology, smart thermostats allow you to control the temperature and other aspects of your indoor air quality remotely from the convenience of your smart phone.

This Wi-Fi enabled thermostat helps homeowners cut down on energy waste by allowing them to control their HVAC system from wherever they may be. For instance, if you leave the AC on full blast when you left the house, you can adjust it to a more moderate temperature to save energy while you are away.

Smart Ventilation

Smart ventilation is another powerful technology that makes it easier for you to make your home environment more comfortable while also helping you reduce energy usage and cut cooling and heating costs. Smart ventilation uses sensors that allow you to monitor and control airflow in each room in your house.

You can save energy by reducing air flow to rooms that are often empty. You can also increase comfort levels by adjusting air flow to each room in line with the family member’s preference. For instance, if you like to feel the cool air directly on you, you might increase airflow to your room, while decreasing airflow to the room of a family member who easily gets cold. The best part is that all of this can be done from the convenience of your smartphone.

Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF)

Variable refrigerant flow is also not a brand new technology. However, when connecting this technology to your home automation system, it has the potential to transform the way that home owners maintain a comfortable indoor environment year-round. Variable refrigerant flow gives you greater control over the temperature inside your home and allows you to adjust different rooms to different temperatures.

Everyone has different ideas of what temperature is optimal and which environment makes them most comfortable. This technology allows you to increase comfort for everyone by adjusting temperature to their liking. Combine this with the smart ventilation system, and you will be making your home more comfortable and saving energy in no time.

Some of these technologies are already being utilized in homes across the country, while others are not far behind. If you are interested in what HVAC upgrades might be available to you, contact us today.